|
Supervisors Present: |
Mark Halls, Keith
Nygaard, Gary Reents, Randy Anderson, Ralph Peterson |
|
SWCD Staff: |
Kelly Erickson, Kyle
Hanson, Luan Johnsrud |
|
Guests: |
Paul Gerde, Pope
County Commissioner, Committee member Pope County
Commissioner; Kyle Thompson, Habitat Now; Pete Gilbertson |
Meeting Minutes:
1.
Call
the meeting to order at 7:05 a.m. by Keith Nygaard.
2.
Motion
by Ralph Peterson to tape record meetings as a benefit to Luan. Second by Randy
Anderson. Motion carried.
3.
Motion
by Ralph Peterson to approve agenda with the correction to move Kyle Thompson
earlier in the meetings. Second by Gary Reents.
Motion carried
4.
Motion
by Gary Reents to approve January 27, 2009 meeting minutes as sent. Second motion by Mark Halls. Motion carried.
5.
Chairman,
Keith Nygaard asked Kyle Thompson to make his presentation to the Board. Mr. Thompson presented the board with a
written summary and proposal to SWCD Supervisors and staff present. The
presentation includes a written request from Mr. Thompson that SWCD quite
activities that complete with private business, income information from public
sources and a request to discontinue funding from
·
Mr.
Thompson expressed concern that the letter received by SWCD on behalf of Pope
County Commissioners was incorrect. He
is not in favor of discontinuing county funding for Pope SWCD, only funding for
projects that compete with private businesses.
Mr. Thompson does not want taxpayer money to fund activities that
compete with private business. The Board
stated that we all pay taxes and work, so it is our own money that is going
toward supporting all county activities, not just SWCD. The goal for private
business and SWCD is to promote programs and projects for clean water and soil
conservation thought out
·
Discussion
followed Mr. Thompson’s presentation.
Mr. Thompson was informed that SWCD is allowed to charge for services by
statute. Some services, such as
technical assistance are included in the program the clients are
accessing. Mr. Thompson indicated that
he also provides this service; therefore, SWCD and private business are in
direct competition. Both parties agreed
that private business and SWCD have the potential to work together on more
unique contracts especially those that are more difficult to complete due to
application complexity. Both parties
agreed that clients should have a choice as to which vendor they want to work
with to complete their conservation projects.
·
The
programs that SWCD administer only cover their costs and are not money
makers. A majority of the grants and
programs SWCD offer allow very little money for administration. Some grantors
require SWCD to match the grant funds 1:1, so SWCD is expected to make money to
pay the match. This match requirement
and the desire not to request money from the county for administration or
program support forced SWCD to generate money through tree sales, drill
rentals, ground cover seeding and tree planting.
Peter Gilbertson entered at 7:39 a.m.
·
Both
parties discussed drill rental. At one
point, Mr. Thompson was too busy to rent seeding drills and only had time to
seed his own projects. Several clients
had the desire and ability to seed their own projects, that’s when SWCD bought
a drill to use and rent out. In the past
few years, Mr. Thompson is not as busy and has started to rent out drills. Mr. Thompson has seen a marked decrease in
the use of his drills in
·
Discussed
the potential funding from the Clean Water Land Legacy Amendment funds to be
used toward education, technical assistance and promotion of water quality and
conservation programs. At this time,
there is still discussion as to who will access those funds, which programs
will be funded or how much will be made available for conservation
programs. Collection of the sales tax
will begin July 1, 2009, so it may be a year or more before any funds are available.
Also, there is talk that those funds may be used to offset funding pulled out
of the State budget, so there may not be the opportunity to fund as many
programs/projects as expected.
·
On
behalf of private business, Mr. Thompson requested the following: SWCD
immediately stop selling products and services that directly compete with
private business, cancel orders and refund payments on product orders, sell all
equipment to reduce SWCD overhead, and revise SWCD operating budget. In return, private business will assist and
lobby with SWCD to solicit addition funding for operating needs for promotion,
education and technical assistance.
Keith Nygaard thanked Mr. Thompson
for attending the meeting and presenting his concerns. SWCD believes that there are projects were
private industry and SWCD will be able to work together. As for suggestions offered by Mr. Thompson to
discontinue sales and services that compete with private business, now is not
the time make that decision. Mr.
Thompson left the meeting at 8:30 a.m.
6.
Financial
Report- January 2009 bills. Luan expressed frustration with not being able to
review QuickBooks financials until she has completed Security Clearance. Judy Johnston was able to print out the
profit & loss two year comparison, check registers for checking and savings
accounts. Gary Reents made the motion to acknowledge financial reports as
presented subject to revision. Second by
Ralph Peterson. Motion carried.
·
Profit
& Loss year to date report
·
Treasurer
Report
·
Check
Register, Checking & Savings
·
2008
financials
7.
Old
Business
Ralph Peterson presented “Setting Priorities for the
Business of Conserving Our Resources” worksheets for Supervisors and staff to
review. The activity followed the life
cycle of sowing, growing, harvesting and tilling to prioritize projects and
activities for SWCD. The Board was
given homework to think about where SWCD will in 2030 and use this format to
plan for the future. Also, board members decided to continue using this
activity during other meetings.
Ralph encouraged each board member and staff to know
100 “People in the Know” for SWCD issues to form a network of influential
people that will help to champion Soil and Water issues.
8.
Reports-
o
Paul Gerde,
Paul explained that he had done some
research regarding the letter Pope SWCD received on behalf of the Pope County
Commissioners. The letter appears to
have been a result of miscommunication and misrepresentation between
Commissioners and the author of the letter that Pope SWCD should discontinue
activities that compete with private business. Paul is trying to get things
straightened out.
Paul had attended a WesMN RC&D meeting.
Ralph Peterson answered questions about Smokey Timbers.
Paul mentioned that there will be
work done along Highway 55. He suggested
working with the City of Glenwood and
o
Kelly Erickson, Technician
The irrigation unit has been
installed at the Rosholt Farm. With the
current business plan for that property, we are making money. We have the potential to partner for corn
demonstration plots; however plans for this project have not been finalized.
Kelly presented an order form for a
banner advertisement at the Pope County Fair.
The cost is $200. In the past
SWCD has donated office space for Fair Board meetings, however, that option is
no longer available. Motion by Randy Halls to pay $200.00 for
the advertising banner at the 2009 Pope County Fair as presented on the order
form. Second by
Gary Reents. Motion carried.
Steve Hofstad from
BWSR advised Kelly, Kyle, and Luan to attend Wetland Conservation training in
Kelly presented the need to cross
train for QuickBooks. Luan and Kelly had
discussed the need to have at least two staff members able to access the
checkbook especially in the event that one is out of the office for training,
leave, etc. Until Luan completes
security clearance, we cannot issue checks unless Judy Johnston comes over from
Landscaping fabric will be delivered
COD March12, 2009 We
have some fabric left from 2008; however, it may not be enough for the 2009
season.
The ’92 Chevy has not sold yet. Kelly asked if we wanted to lower the
price. After discussion, it was decided
that there isn’t a rush to sell the vehicle and we would not lower the price,
at least for the time being.
Paul Gerde left the meeting at 8:47
a.m.
Kelly reminded the Board that
employees are to have their annual reviews is February. Ralph stated that Kelly has taken on more
responsibilities and should be compensated accordingly. Ralph and Mark will
meet to review the budget and make a recommendation to the Board and Kelly for
a raise before the March 17, 2009 Board meeting.
o
Kyle Hanson, SWCD Wildlife
Technician
Kyle presented 17 Clean Water Legacy
contracts totaling $52,822.60 for incentives and $10,564.40 for technical
assistance to review. Kyle explained that we share this fund with four other
counties. In return we receive 10% of
each contract for technical assistance and 10% for administration for each
contract. Motion by Gary Reents to pay the 17 contracts as presented. Second by Ralph Peterson. Motion carried.
o
Luan
Johnsrud, Office Manager
All of the information has been
submitted for review so that Luan will receive security clearance for eAuth and be able to access office computers and eLink reporting system.
The timeframe is unknown as to when this will happen.
Copies of the goals and agendas for
the 20007-2008 Annual Report were presented.
These probably will not change.
All staff has been helping Luan gather information for the Annual Report
that is due March 15, 2008 at the BWSR office.
Without the ability to access QuickBooks financial information, the
report may be delayed.
Kelly and Luan will be meeting with
Tim James from MPCA to discuss working on a TMDL project for 5 lakes in
o
Craig
Bower, NRCS
Craig was not able to attend the
meeting, so his report was presented in writing. It included the number acres
that had been signed up for CP programs since 10/2/2007.
o
Grant
Herfindahl, FSA not present
o
Ralph
Peterson, Glacial Trail
Glacial Trail is planning to add a
Birding Brochure to their current Glacial Trail brochure. They have not received the funding for the
kiosks for along the trail. A group is
planning a Model T tour sometime in September 2009. The tour is scheduled to begin in
o
Other-None
9.
New
Business
o
The
tentative date for the Personnel Committee meeting is February 20, 2009 at
10:00 a.m. Gary Reents will check his
schedule to make sure that date and time are available.
o
Discussed
hiring an intern for the second year of the Cooperative Weed Area Management
program. Motion by Mark Halls to post
the position. Second the motion by Ralph
Peterson. Motion Carried. The application will be due March 17, 2009,
interviews Mary 26, 2009 beginning at 4:00 p.m.
Start date the mid- to late April depending upon school schedule.
o
Consider
moving savings account funds to a CD-tabled until better financials are
available
o
Discuss
2009 Outstanding Conservationist. Tabled
until next meeting. Kelly suggested Nick
Pooke for their manure handling system or Kim Krueger
for his 34 years of service to conservation.
o
Gary
Reents attended the Wes/MN Annual Meeting February 11, 2009. Wadena SWCD presented the programs that they
are using at this time.
o
Pope
SWCD will provide area churches with information for Soil Stewardship
week. The mailing list is probably on
the computer, so Luan will gather the information packets and send them to area
clergy in time for Soil Stewardship week.
o
Motion
by Ralph Peterson to sign and send the MN River Source Joint Powers Board
–Termination 2009. Seconded by Gary
Reents. Motion carried.
o
Other-
Ralph Peterson, Mark Halls, Gary Reents, Keith Nygaard, Kelly Erickson, and
Luan Johnsrud will attend the Area II Reorganizational meeting Thursday,
February 26th at Lakeside Ballroom.
Luan will call SWCD offices that have not responded to the meeting
notice for a count to provide to
10. Next Scheduled meeting date March
17, 2009, SWCD office at 7:00 a.m.
11. Motion by Mark Halls to adjourn the
meeting. Seconded by Gary Reents. Motion carried.